Paredes: Venezuela playing better than Brazil
Reuters - Thursday 14 July 2011, 18:14
MENDOZA - Venezuela have
played better than Brazil at the Copa America and will present
Chile with a tough test in their quarter-final this weekend,
Chilean striker Esteban Paredes said on Thursday.
"We shouldn't underestimate Venezuela," Paredes told a news
conference ahead of the match in the Andean city of San Juan.
"For me they've played better than Brazil in these three
games, and we know what Brazil are - a world power - so it's
going to be a difficult match on Sunday."
Venezuela drew with Brazil in their Group B clash and
finished level on points with them at the top of the group,
although the Brazilians had a slightly better goal difference.
Traditionally one of the weakest teams in South America, the
Venezuelans have been one of the surprises of this tournament.
Around 20,000 Chileans are expected to make the trip to San
Juan from Mendoza for Sunday's match. Both cities lies close to
the Chilean border, and Claudio Borghi's team have enjoyed huge
support in their matches in the region so far.
"We'll be like the home team in San Juan, with our fans
behind us," Paredes said. "And if we win on Sunday we'll be back
here in Mendoza [for the semi-final] with our fans, which is
very important."